The past results, the present state of mind, and the future potential that SK Telecom believed in. I could not let down the team that believed in me. Turning this future potential into a good result – that was what I had to show as a progamer. The first step was the Challenge League. It was my first Challenge League ever, and I was determined to make it my last.

Because I passed the Ongamenet Starleague preliminaries nine times, I had no experience in the Challenge League. But just because I had made it to the final selection nine times, there was no guarantee that I would enter it again. If I did not progress, the only way I could go was downhill. And so the Challenge League that was as hard as the Starleague preliminaries had begun. They were all skilled players that were not much different than the players that had passed the Starleague preliminaries. And so no one could guarantee an easy pass through the Challenge League. After going through all the difficulties, four players were at a tie, and there was a final round for the first place of the Challenge League. The final 3-rounds, 2-win matches had begun.

The opponent was the Zerg user Shin Jungmin Qoo)Max. Though I had prepared a lot, things did not unfold as I had intended, starting with the first game. While warming up my hands, I practiced a few games, but the mouse would not move as I wished. I was using a kind of mouse that only I was used to. To a progamer, the mouse is like a soldier’s rifle. If the weapon is worn out and does not fit well with the person, how can the battle be won? Whether it was because my amount of practice increased the past few days, the condition of my mouse rapidly worsened. The buttons and the ball were very worn down. On top of that, I did not have an extra mouse.

As the time for the match approached, I could do nothing but head to the arena with an uncomfortable feeling. My insecure presentiments finally surfaced from the first match. The first match was an important stage in which I could not lose, but I ended up losing. The mouse did not respond properly and it was uncomfortable. Those that have not played the game will not understand the feeling of not being able to move the way one desires. The outcome of the match between progamers can be determined from minute differences. Because I lost even after bringing a perfect strategy and taking an advantageous position, the loss was an enormous shock.

I continued to hesitate right up to the moment the second game started. After losing the first game, I had to win no matter what, whether I was confident or not. I could not use another person’s mouse and could not delay the broadcasting time, and my heart began to burn until it was black. I had no way out. There was nothing I could do but enter the match and try my best.

The second game was a map that I was least confident on. I chose to use the initial rush strategy that had the highest win percentage during my practices. Because the mouse was in a bad condition, I came to a conclusion that if I took it towards a late game, I would be at a disadvantage. ‘If I don’t finish him off in the beginning, I will lose.’ With this one thought I devoted myself to the match. My strategy fell right into place, and I won the second match.

We were at a tie and at the third match, and there was no place to run. The only thought I had was to definitely win. With a build that I had prepared, I continuously attacked my opponent and finally took the victory. Though it was not a satisfying match, the results were good. By placing first in the Challenge League, I had received a direct ticket to enter the Starleague.

After failing to enter the Starleague preliminaries and winning the Challenge League was perhaps my most difficult period. At the time, people were saying, “Shouldn’t Lim Yohwan retire now?” But I had not once considered retiring. The word ‘retirement’ had not once crossed my mind. But as those talks came from other people, I bit my lips. It already did not matter how many victories I had in the past, or whether I was the progamer with the best win percentage. What was important was winning the present tournament. Winning one game after another and regaining my confidence was my ultimate goal. I was still thirsty for victory. Quenching my thirst for victory was the only way to lift myself up once again.

Among the fun movies that I watched, there is a movie called ‘GO.’ There is a scene where the father and son stand facing each other. After stretching out his fist, he speaks. “Outside the circle is swarming with strong men. If you stay inside the circle it will be safe. Will you still do it?” The son’s answer was resolute. “I’m going to destroy all the enemies outside the circle.”

That was it- I like being outside the circle where it’s swarming with strong opponents, rather than being inside the circle where it is safe. There are opponents that I will destroy. As I dominate the opponents one by one, I sense a tingling feeling, the feeling that I am alive.